Sikhs in the capital have planned major protests over the coming two days as they grimly observe the 25th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots that followed former prime minister Indira Gandhi’ assassination.
“We are planning a protest outside the Kakardooma court in view of the Tytler case hearing scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday). Sardar Simranjeet Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal is also planning a protest after which a memorandum will be presented to president Pratibha Patil,” Karnail Singh, president of the All India Sikh Students Federation that is coordinating protests, told IANS.
The memorandum demands are based on findings of an RTI (right to information) query which claims that there has been no proper investigation into the nature and numbers of the killings during the riots. Over 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in Delhi and other northern cities following the assassination of Indira Gandhi on Oct 31, 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards. “We will demand that there be a detailed census as to how many Sikhs were killed in the fist week of the riots here. We are also going to ask that charges be filed against all those in cases where eye witness statements are with the investigating agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation,” Singh said.
On Nov 1, Sikhs will also take out a ‘march for justice’ from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. “The same day we will also circulate a memorandum to all MPS with testimonies showing the injustice to our community during and after 1984. All this goes against our basic constitutional right as a citizen of a democracy,” Singh added.